The Best Prenatal Vitamin for Nausea

As I sit here writing this, I am pregnant with my fifth baby.  I’ve been a perinatal chiropractor for 12+ years and supported hundreds of women trying to conceive and thousands during pregnancy.  There’s a problem during pregnancy that barely anyone talks about and even my patients are hesitant to talk to me about it: not being able to stomach prenatal vitamins.  

With my first baby, I didn’t experience much nausea and I was able to nap a lot more, which helped keep my nausea at bay.  When I was pregnant with our second baby, I couldn’t stomach my regular prenatal vitamins and opted for a gummy.  Was it the most nutrient dense choice?  Nope, but I was able to stomach it and that felt good enough.  Sometime before I got pregnant with our third baby, I found Needed and started taking their prenatal powder.  Anyone that knows me, knows that I hate taking capsules so finding a prenatal supplement that didn’t involve 3+ capsules and contained optimal nutrition was HUGE.  I continued taking Needed’s prenatal powder with my fourth baby, but during this pregnancy, Needed launched their 3-capsule Prenatal Multivitamin.  I bounced between the Needed Prenatal Multivitamin (3-capsule) and their Prenatal Multivitamin Powder, leaning more on the Prenatal Multivitamin Powder during the first trimester.  I will be completely honest, even though I have been pregnant and/or breastfeeding for 9.5 years, and I know how important taking a prenatal is before and during pregnancy, I was guilty of not taking it consistently- even when I wasn’t feeling nauseous.  Recently, Needed announced their Prenatal Multivitamin Gummy (and launched it September 1!).  I had the opportunity to try it out before the launch and this is the first time in years that I am actually taking a prenatal consistently.   

Is a gummy “good enough”?   

The reality is, it is difficult to formulate a gummy that is packed with the same amount and variety of nutrients as a prenatal capsule, however, the best prenatal for you is the one you will actually take.    Needed’s New Prenatal Multivitamin Gummy contains 8x more nutrition than the leading prenatal gummy* making it the most nutritious** prenatal gummy on the market.  It also contains 4x more nutrition than the average of leading prenatal capsules.  (4x more nutrition refers to the average amount of vitamin and minerals compared to the average of the leading prenatal brands as of May 2026. Brand A: 8x, Brand B: 4x, Brand C: 4x, Brand D: 4x.) 

Needed Prenatal Multivitamin Gummy delivers optimal nutrition in forms that your body can use.  It contains 17 nutrients including: 

• 920mcg DFE Methylfolate 

• 4000IU Vitamin D3 

• 40mg Vitamin B6 

• 75mcg Vitamin B12 

• 70mcg Selenium 

• 6.5mg Zinc 

• 55mg Choline 

• Plus Magnesium, Biotin, Niacin, and Thiamin (and MORE!) 

Looking for more Choline?  (Choline is super important while TTC and during pregnancy as it supports your baby’s brain and nervous system development*.)  They’ve thought of that, too!  They have a bundle containing their Prenatal Multivitamin Gummy and Choline+. This additional dose of Choline is 500mg and is only one additional capsule. 

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.  

You may also notice that Iron and Omega-3s aren’t included.  Across all of Needed Prenatals, they intentionally keep omega-3s and iron separate, each for its own reason.  Omega-3s are separated out to allow for a meaningful optimal dose that wouldn’t fit within a multivitamin.  Iron is separate because needs vary too much person to person to treat as one-size-fits-all; it is best dosed individually.  

Why are prenatal vitamins hard to take when you’re nauseous? 

It isn’t uncommon for patients, especially during the first trimester, to come into the office and share that they haven’t been able to take their prenatal because it makes them nauseous (or even vomit after taking it).   

When you’re already nauseous, the last thing you want to do is swallow a handful of capsules.  Most prenatal vitamins, especially the leading ones, have a dose that is a 3+ capsules (even Needed’s most comprehensive prenatal, Prenatal Multivitamin Pro, is 8 capsules daily.  This can be tough when your gag reflex is already heightened.  I have heard from many patients that they can barely tolerate brushing their teeth!  Often during pregnancy, taste and smell are more sensitive, which can trigger nausea when taking capsules.  Many women struggle to figure out what foods they can keep down or foods that they aren’t having aversions to, which can make taking a prenatal even harder.   

Who I think Needed’s Prenatal Multivitamin Gummy is best for: 

• If you have nausea.  Honestly, this is my #1 reason.  Nausea during pregnancy can make looking at a handful of capsules when you are already nauseous challenging.   

• If you have supplement fatigue.  Pregnancy can come with a lot of pills to take (especially if you were taking additional supplements while TTC).  Many women get tired of taking capsules day after day, so if you find yourself dreading taking your supplements, are regularly skipping supplements, or want to reduce the number of capsules you take, a gummy may be the best fit for you!   

• If you have difficulty swallowing pills.  This isn’t necessarily pregnancy-specific.  If taking a prenatal vitamin feels like a chore, you’re probably going to forget to take it.  There are some people that have difficulty swallowing pills in general and a gummy offers a convenient alternative.   

• You tried a gummy vitamin before and want a more effective formulation.  Needed’s Prenatal Multivitamin Gummy contains 8x more nutrition than the leading prenatal gummy.  Based on a comparison of each brand’s labeled daily serving amounts of vitamins and minerals relative to pregnancy Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs), calculated as an average across those nutrients.  As of May 2026.  

Five pregnancies in and consulting with thousands of women during preconception and pregnancy, I’ve learned that sometimes the best option, is the option that works for your actual life and is the supplement you will actually take consistently.   

In health,  

Dr. Candace  

This post is sponsored by Needed, a brand I genuinely recommend to my patients and use personally.   

*Based on a comparison of each brand’s labeled daily serving amounts of vitamins and minerals relative to pregnancy Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs), calculated as an average across those nutrients.  As of May 2026.) 

**Based on total nutrient content (%DV) per serving vs. other prenatal gummy vitamins in the US. Needed provides 174–709% more. Nielsen data, May 2026. 

Benefits of Swimming While Pregnant: Stay Cool and Comfortable!

Looking for a safe, gentle, effective way to stay active while pregnant and also help reduce pains and tension? Try swimming! Swimming is wonderful all year round, but even more-so in the summer to beat the heat and enjoy being outside. Swimming is a wonderful way to incorporate exercise in your day without aggravating your loosening joints and tight ligaments (reminder: a good goal for most during pregnancy is 30 minutes of exercise a day). In addition to all the fitness-related benefits swimming provides your body and your baby, it is also a great way to offer relief for your tired muscles and joints and may help with other pregnancy pains or symptoms and provide benefits including:

·        Relieving ankle and foot swelling. Submersing your limbs in water helps push fluids from your soft tissue back into your veins (where it goes to your kidneys and then out through your urine). It also can help boost your circulation, which prevents blood from pooling in the lower limbs.

·        Easing back pain: The buoyancy of being in the water takes the pressure off your baby bump and lower back, providing much-needed relief.

·        Improving blood circulation.

·        Can improve cardiovascular health and flexibility as it is a wonderful, low stress form of exercise

·        Reducing morning sickness and nausea: Many women report that the cool water provides welcome relief from nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.

·        Strengthening core abdominal muscles and may help prevents severe diastasis recti.

·        Keeping you cool: It’s challenging to stay cool in the summer, exercising or not, especially due to pregnancy hormones and when sweat glands are on overdrive — but a dip in a cool pool can help, especially when the temperatures soar outside.

·        May improve your labor and delivery experience: Swimming maintains muscle tone and increases your endurance — both of which you’ll be thankful for when it comes time for labor

While swimming is generally a very safe activity during pregnancy here are some tips to keep in mind:

·        Check for water safety. If not swimming in a pool, research the body of water you wish to swim in to prevent water-borne illness. While for the most, part a public beach/lake/river is perfectly fine, you may want to be more cautious with smaller bodies of water, especially those with history of issues or poor water circulation.

·        Swim carefully! Remember, your baby belly can throw off your center of gravity. Be extra cautious when walking on slippery surfaces, including the pool deck, concrete, rocks and in the locker room or clubhouse.

·        Step into the pool or carefully slide in. The impact of jumping or diving into water may be too intense for your loose joints and for baby.

·        Stay hydrated. You are less likely to feel thirsty while swimming. If you are exercising in the water, you still sweat (and can risk overheating). Be sure to drink about 16 oz of water about two hours before your workout and place a water bottle near by to sip throughout the swim session.

·        Fuel up! Regardless of your workouts and activity level, your body needs extra calories to support growing baby and your changing body. Talk with your healthcare provider for specific guidelines and recommendations that suite your needs.

Not sure what to do for water-based fitness? Here are some swimming workouts for pregnant moms

For beginner swimmers:

·        If you only swam occasionally before pregnancy, most gyms with pools offer water aerobics classes, many of which are specifically designed for expectant moms.

·        Considering swimming laps. Complete as many as you can comfortably perform, eventually working up to 30 minutes of swimming three to four days a week. Remember to maintain a moderate pace that doesn’t leave you breathless. (If your head were above water, you would be able to carry on a conversation comfortably.)

·        If the going gets tough, just float...your break will be well-deserved.

·        Use a kick board or raft for upper or lower body exercises.

·        Don’t forget to stretch afterward!

For intermediate and advanced swimmers:

·        If you swam on your own once or twice a week or swam competitively upwards of three times a week before getting pregnant, typically, it’s safe to continue to participate in your regular workouts as your baby bump grows.

·        Be sure to check with your provider to make sure your activity is safe for you and baby.

·        It is important to avoid breathlessness: it decreases oxygen flow to baby!

It is important to be aware of warning signs that it's time to stop swimming:

·        Regardless of your prenatal fitness level, swimming can be hard work — which means it’s normal to experience some aches and pains as you take to the water with your baby belly. Ultimately, you’re the best judge of your limits. So if you experience any sharp pain, shortness of breath, faintness, vaginal bleeding, dizziness, uterine contractions, absence of fetal movements or anything else that just strikes you as not quite right, stop your workout immediately and contact your practitioner.

·        Be sure to consult your practitioner before starting any new fitness routine. If you experience any pain or symptoms, follow up with your provider.

So this summer (and really all year long), be sure to take advantage of all the benefits of swimming…for you and for baby! Stay cool this summer!

Note: If you are going to swim in a chlorinated water, using a vitamin C spray afterward and boosting your Vitamin C are great ways to help neutralize the effects of chlorine on your body.

Back and Sciatic Pain During Pregnancy

During the second and third trimester of pregnancy, your body will go through so many changes. The body’s gravity starts shifting and your posture starts to change, adding more pressure to the joints  and the soft tissue of surrounding areas. These changes can cause joint restriction and muscle/ligament instability in your spine, pelvis, sacrum and hips.  

Common symptoms you might experience during this transition are: 

• muscle tightness 

• soreness

• joint stiffness

• pubic bone pain

• numbness/pins & needles

• sacroiliac joint pain

• most commonly, lower back pain and/or sciatica.

It is very common to experience some of these symptoms throughout pregnancy, even during the first trimester. However, it is not something you have to work through and deal with until you give birth. You have options! 

How can chiropractic care help to decrease pain, discomfort, and improve functional stability during pregnancy?

Chiropractic adjustments are designed to restore normal joint mobility, improve stability and reduce joint restrictions. The presence of joint restrictions, muscle and ligament instability around the lower back, pelvis and hips, can make it difficult for mom to move around. It also can affect baby's ability to move into optimal position during delivery. 

Chiropractors at our office utilize the Webster Technique to establish mother's pelvic balance and alignment during pregnancy.  With a balanced pelvis and spine:

• Spine and pelvic mobility is restored, decreasing pain and discomfort during pregnancy. 

• Baby has more room to move around the womb. Also improves the chance of the baby moving into the correct position before labor, facilitating the delivery. 

• Optimal baby positioning at the time of birth can result in an easier and safer delivery for both the mother and child.

Exercises for Back Pain and Sciatica During Pregnancy

Here are a few positions and exercises recommended for core strengthening and muscle/ligament stability: 

• Pigeon Pose

• Lunges (Progress to lizard)

• Kneeling squats (Beginners)

• Tabletop (Core exercise)

• Cat/Cow

• Hip Thrust

• Straddle stretch

You can also make modifications during your night time. Sleep with a pregnancy pillow, when turning in bed from side to side keep your legs together and get up from your side (no crunches) when getting up from bed. 

These exercises and stretches are beginner friendly. But always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any exercise routine. We can help to create a unique routine addressing your goals and needs!

We can help you. Call us today! 
In health,

Dr. Shirley

drdelgado@clechiropractic.com

(216)952-3830